Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1887-02-12


actually filled in, apparently with huge
blocks OF dressed stone, with arches pierced
at the bottom for waterway, over which
: the road went sublimely on. At another
place 1t was cut in zigzags out of the side of
q precipice five hundred feet deep, and in
, the third it tunneled right through the base
of an intervening ridge a space of thirty
yards or more.
Here we noticed that the sides of the tun-
mel were covered with quaint sculptures
mostly of mailed figures driving in chariots.
One, which was exceedingly beautiful, re-
presented a whole battle scene with a con-
voy of captives being marched OF i'll the dis
lance.
"Well." said Sir Henry, after inspecting
this ancient work OF art, lit is very well to
call this Solomon's Road, but my humble
opinion is that the Egyptians have been here
before Solomon's people ever set foot on
it. If that isn't Egyptian handiW0rk, all
have to say is it is very like it."
BY midday we had advanced sufficiently
Ear down the mountain to reach the region
where wood was to be met with. First we
came to scattered bushes which grew more
and more frequent, till at last we found the
road winding through a vast grove of silver
trees similar to those which are to be seen on
the slopes of Table Mountain at Cape Town.
had never before met with them in all my
wanderings, except at the Cape. and their
appearance here astonished me greatly.
"Ahw said Good, surveying these shining
leaved trees with evident enthusiasm, "here
is lots Of wood, let us stop and cook some
dinner; have about digested that raw
meat"
Nobody objected to this, so leaving the
road we made our way to stream which
was babbling away not far OF, and soon had
goodly fire Of dry boughs blazing. Cutting
of some substantial hunks from the flesh of
the incO which we had brought with US, we
proceeded to toast them on the end of sharp
sticks, as one sees the Kafrs do, and ate
them with relish. After filling ourselves,
we lit our pipes and gave ourselves up to
enjoyment, which, compared to the hard
ships we had recently undergone, seemed
almost heavenly.
The brook of which the banks were
clothed with dense masses of gigantic spe~
cies of maiden-hair fern interSperSed with
feathery tufts of wild asparagus, babbled
away merrily at our side, the soft air mur-
INJURED through the leaves of the silver trees,
doves cooed around, and bright'winged birds
flashed like living gems from bOugh to
bough 1t was like Paradise.
The magic of the place, combined with the
overwhelming sense of dangers left behind,
and of the promised land reached at last,
seemed to charm US into silence. Sir Henry
and Umbopa sat conVersing in mixture of
broken English and Kitchin Zulu in a low
voice, but earnestly enough and lay, with
my eyes half shut, upon that fragrant bed of
fern and watched them. Presently missed
Good, and looked to see what had become of
him. AS did so observed him sitting by
the bank of the stream, in which he had
been bathing. He had nothing on but his
flannel shirt and his natural habits of ex-
treme neatneSS having reaSserted themselves,
was actively employed in making most
elaborate toilet He had washed his gutta-
percha collar, thoroughly shaken out his
trousers, coat and WaiSt-coat, and was now
folding them up neatly till he was ready to
put them on, shaking his head sadly as he
did so over the numerous rents and tears in
them, which had naturally resulted from our
frightful journey. Then he took his boots,
scrubbed them with handful of FERNS and
finally rubbed them over with piece of fat,
which he had carefully saved from the inco
meat till they looked, comparatively speak
ing respectable. Having inspected them
JuulCIOuSly lHIOuSl HIS cYGSldSS. u6 pUk
them on and began fresh operation.
From little bag he carried he produced a
pocket-comb in which was fixed a tiny look
ing-glasS, and in this he surveyed himself
Apparently he was not satisfied, for be pro-
ceeded to do his hair with great care. Then
came pause whist he again contemplated
the effect; still it was not satisfactory. He
felt his chin, on which was now the accumu-
lated scrub of a ten days beard. Surely"
thought [, "he is not going to try and
shave" But so it was Taking the piece of
fat with which he had creased his boots, he
washed it carefully in the stream. Then
diving again into the bag he brought out
little pocket razor with guard to it, such as
are sold to people afraid of cutting them
selves, or to those about to undertake sea
voyage. Then he vigorously scrubbed his
face and chin with the fat and began. But
it was evidently a painful process, for he
gr0aned very much over it, and was con-
vused with inward laughter as / watched
him struggling with that stubby beard. 1t
seemed so very odd that man should take
the trouble to shave himself with piece of
fat in such place and under such circum-
stances. At last he succeeded in getting thf
worst of the scrub off the right side of his
face and chin, when suddenly ], who wa&
became aware of flash of light
that passed just by his head.
Good sprung up with a profane explana-
ton (if it had not been a safety razor he
would certainly have cut his throat and so
lid /, without the exclamation, and this was
what saw. Standing there not more than
'wenty PAGES from where / was and ten
from Good, were group of men. They
we're very tall and copper-c0lored, and some
If them wore great plumes of black feathers
ind short cloaks of leopard skins; this was
I'll / noticed at the moment. In front of
hem stood youth of about seventeen, his
land still raised and his body bent for
ward in the attitude of Grecan statue of
pear-thrower. Evidently the flash Of light
lad been weapon, and he had thrown it
AS looked an old soldier-Iike looking
nan stepped forward out of the group and
atching the youth by the arm said some
hing to him. Then he advanced upon us.
Sir Henry, Good and Umbopa had By
his time seized their rifles and lifted
hem threateningly. The party of natives
till came on. 1t struck me that they could
lot know what rifles were, or they would
lor nave tfeateu lvni sss.:s s:ss s,szss---..--- sz.-